How To: Creating Alternating Turn Signals

Submitted By: Slacker

Overview

This write up is for making your turn signals alternate. This writeup will work for 1991-2001 Explorers with the exception of the 2001 Explorer Sport. That being said, this write-up should give the user a good idea on how to perform this upgrade on most any vehicle.

The pictures are from a 1998 Explorer, so 1st generation (91-94) pictures may be different but the wiring is the same. They will also not alternate unless your corner lights are on.




Required Material

• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Wire Cutter
• Wire Stripper
• Electrical Tape
• Maintenance Manual for your Vehicle's Year/Make/Model
• Soldering Iron with Solder (optional)

Procedure

1. Remove your corner lenses and remove the bulbs from the corner lense so they are just hanging. Refer to your maintenance manual for the proper procedure. I did find it easier to remove the grille before dealing with the wires, just so I could give myself more room. You may want to do the same.
   
   
2. Locate the "little" corner bulb that has 2 wires running to it. The brown wire is the power wire and the black wire is the ground wire. The ground wire is the one that is important here. Refer to your maintenance manual to verify wire function and color for your specific make and model. This instruction holds true for the rest of the article.
   
   
   
   
   
3. On either the side or the top "blinker" lights there are three wires running to them. The black one is the ground, the brown one is the power, and the striped wire is the one that makes the bulbs blink. The striped one is the one that you'll need. On my left turn signal the striped wire was green with a white stripe, on my right turn signal the striped wire was white with a blue stripe.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Cut the ground wire for the "little" bulb giving it enough slack to be able to reach another bulb. I cut the ground wire about 3-4" from the bulb side. The majority of the wire was still attached to the bulb, but you can do more or less at your own discression.
   
   
5. Strip the end that is still attached to the bulb. Do the same to the striped wire on the "blinking" bulb. Make sure to strip both ends of the striped wire so you can re-attach them.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Spin together the three wires you now have. I found it easier to re-attach the striped wire and then attach the ground wire to it.
   
   
7. After they are attached in a strong manner, strap some solder or some electrical tape (or both) on them.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Repeat steps 2-7 on the opposite side turn signal.
   
   
9. Put everything back together and admire your work.
   

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